skip to main content

Financial Aid: FAFSA and CSS Profile

(Updated: December 22, 2023)

FAFSA Completion Event Scheduled for January 4th has been postponed due to the delay in release of the new FAFSA form.  More information will be shared once it is available in the New Year.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Completing the Redesigned FAFSA 

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in the financial aid process. You must fill out the FAFSA to apply for federal student financial aid, such as the Pell Grant, student loans, and college work-study. Most colleges use your FAFSA to make their financial aid awards as well.  New York State requires students to complete the FAFSA application to be eligible for state based loans and grants. 

The FAFSA is being redesigned this school year.  This means that any student looking to enroll in college during the 2024-2025 school year must apply using the new form.  The Federal Government has indicated that the new FAFSA is expected to be released by December 31, 2023.  Click HERE to read about the proposed changes to the new form. 

Anticipated Changes to the FAFSA:

  • Shortened form- The new FAFSA is said to be significantly shorter than the previous form.  
  • "Contributor"- The term used to identify the parent(s) or guardian(s) responsible for completing the FAFSA, such as biological, adoptive, or stepparents.  Click HERE to see who will be identified as a contributor on the new form. 
  • Consent forms must be completed by all contributors to facilitate transfer of financial information into the FAFSA.
  • Student Aid Index (SAI)- How much aid a student is eligible to receive based on their family income.  This replaces the previously used "estimated family contribution" (EFC).  Click HERE to complete a student aid estimator.  *NOTE- this is NOT the same as submitting the FAFSA.  You will still need to complete a FAFSA application. 

Click HERE to see informational videos on the new FAFSA from the Federal Government.

 While you wait for the new FAFSA to be released, students and identified "contributor(s)" can create their FSA ID by clicking HERE.  

*Please make sure to keep your FSA ID and password.  You will need this same ID and password for every year you apply for FAFSA. 
**Contributors/parents with FSA IDs from older students already enrolled in college do not need to get a new FSA ID.

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Students residing in New York State who plan on attending college/university in New York are eligible for additional aid through the TAP application.  Please make sure to complete this application once your FAFSA has been submitted.  More information is available on the HESC website.

Financial Aid: Apply with the CSS Profile

What is CSS?

The CSS is an online application to determine eligibility for non-federal financial aid, which is administered by the College Board, creator of the SAT®. Not every college requires it, but hundreds of colleges do, so be sure to first check the list of schools to determine whether your child needs to complete the application.  This year, with the delay of the new FAFSA, more schools are using the CSS Profile to start the financial aid process for prospective students. It's also important to see if the school requires students of divorced parents to complete the additional Noncustodial PROFILE.

Where do I begin?  Click HERE to be directed to the College Board website to start your CSS profile.